Rain-Kissed Cobblestones and Hidden Corners: A Misty Autumn Day in Edinburgh 🌧️🍁✨

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Day 2 in Scotland brought fall colors, castle views, centuries of history, and (of course) rain 🌧️. From wandering through the golden paths of Princes Street Gardens to exploring Old Town, historic cemeteries, Calton Hill for sweeping city views, and finishing with the most decadent crepe imaginable 🍫🥔, I discovered Edinburgh one cobblestone at a time—soaked, happy, and inspired.

🌳 Morning in the Gardens: A Walk Through Autumn

The day began quietly, with that soft morning chill I love about fall 🍂. I wandered into Princes Street Gardens, where the Ross Fountain shimmered in copper and turquoise hues against a misty sky 💧. Benches lined the walkway, each one occupied by a story: couples talking, parents playing with their kids, and one man calmly reading as the city woke around him 📖.

For the first time ever, I saw holly growing wild 🌿—its glossy leaves and bright red berries popping against the grey morning light. The Royal Scots War Memorial stood solemnly nearby, and at its base, a single coral-colored rose 🌹 stood tall, defiant against the drizzle that had started to fall. The view of Edinburgh Castle rising above the gardens was majestic 🏰, like something straight out of a fairytale ✨.

☔ Old Town Adventures: Rain, Cobblestones & Potatoes

The rain didn’t let up as I made my way into Old Town 🌧️, but surprisingly, I didn’t mind—it just added charm to the glistening cobblestones 🌫️😊.

My first stop was The Writer’s Museum ✍️, celebrating Scotland’s literary giants—Burns, Scott, and Stevenson. As someone with a master’s in English, wandering through the exhibits felt like stepping into a living anthology 📚✨. Manuscripts, letters, and personal artifacts whispered stories of creativity, struggle, and brilliance.

Next, I passed the Heatherbow Wellhead, a historic fountain that once served as a vital water source ⛲ and is a quiet reminder of Edinburgh’s past.

I wandered along the Royal Mile, enjoying the mix of old stone buildings, charming shops, and the quiet hum of locals and tourists 🏘️.

Lunch was a no-brainer: Tempting Tattie (Est. 1974) 🥔, another TikTok find I had saved months ago. Fluffy, buttery, and loaded with toppings, it was exactly what I needed to refuel after a morning of exploring 😋.

After lunch, I explored Victoria Street 🌈, with its colorful, curved buildings and tiny shops. Rumor has it this street inspired Diagon Alley ⚡. I stopped at The Elephant House 🏠—famously known as the birthplace of Harry Potter. Though rebuilt after a fire, the café gives a glimpse of what J.K. Rowling might have seen while writing 🪄. I grabbed a non-alcoholic Butterbeer 🧋, which was refreshing after a morning of walking.

I also peeked into The Islander Flagship Store 🧵 for inspiration for a tweed bag workshop I had planned the next day 😉.

⚰️ A Walk Through History: Cemeteries, Monuments & Ancient Stones

After Old Town, I explored the kirk yard 🌿. The cemetery is steeped in history, with links to Bloody Mackenzie 🩸👻, the Covenanter’s Prison 🏰🔒, and even J.K. Rowling’s inspiration ✨📖.

🩸 Bluidy Mackenzie

Sir George Mackenzie, known as “Bluidy Mackenzie,” was a 17th-century Scottish lawyer and Lord Advocate. In 1679, following the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, he imprisoned over 1,200 Covenanters—Protestants who resisted the Crown’s attempts to impose Anglican practices in the Church of Scotland. These prisoners were held in harsh conditions in what became known as the Covenanter’s Prison, located within Greyfriars Kirkyard. Many suffered and died due to mistreatment and overcrowding. Mackenzie’s brutal enforcement of the King’s policies earned him the grim nickname “Bluidy Mackenzie” (Edinburgh News).

Today, visitors can see the Black Mausoleum, Mackenzie’s burial site, which has become infamous for reports of paranormal activity. The area is said to be haunted by the so-called Mackenzie Poltergeist, with numerous accounts of unexplained phenomena, including cold spots, scratches, and even physical attacks on visitors

The Covenanter’s Prison

The Covenanter’s Prison, a section of the kirkyard, was used to detain these dissenters under extreme conditions in 1679. Some were held for weeks, others, months, without proper food, water, or shelter, and many succumbed to illness. Today, the area is locked by the Scottish government, reportedly due to extreme paranormal activity 👻💀 ( Covenanter).

I felt completely fine walking up to the gated section—but as soon as I stuck my arm through the bars to take a photo, an instant, heavy, overwhelming pit in my stomach hit me. Chills, goosebumps, and a real sense of the intense history of suffering lingered long after I pulled back 🌫️😳.

🪄 J.K. Rowling’s Inspiration

Greyfriars Kirkyard is also a place of literary inspiration. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, lived in Edinburgh during the time she wrote the books. The city’s rich history and architecture influenced her work, and some of the names in Greyfriars Kirkyard served as inspiration for characters in her novels. For instance, Thomas Riddell’s grave is believed to have inspired the name of Lord Voldemort, whose birth name was Tom Riddle. Additionally, the name “McGonagall” is thought to have been inspired by the grave of William McGonagall, a 19th-century poet (CityDays).

Nearby, the Stones of Scotland offered a fascinating geological twist 🪨. In the center, there’s a single tree and a curious rock with a footprint carved into it—like a mini Arthurian legend waiting to be discovered 🏰. Of course, I had to try fitting my own foot in the imprint… and voilà, it fit perfectly! I may have felt like Arthur reaching for Excalibur, if only for a moment ⚔️✨.

The Robert Burns Monument stood proudly nearby, a tribute to Scotland’s beloved poet, while Jacob’s Ladder, possibly the steepest steps I’ve ever seen 🪜, offered more than just a literal climb. Named for the biblical story of Jacob’s dream—a ladder stretching from earth to heaven, connecting the mortal and the divine—it felt almost symbolic as I observed it. Even from the top, the sheer height and angle made me imagine each step carrying a sense of aspiration and wonder, like a bridge between history, legend, and the Edinburgh skyline 🌌✨.

🌄 Views from Above: Calton Hill & Scott Monument

Next, I headed to Calton Hill 🏞️, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic vantage points. The climb itself was gentle—thankfully, coming from high-elevation Colorado gave me an edge 😅. I’m pretty sure in a few weeks, that same climb might not feel so easy (laugh)!

The panoramic views from the top were breathtaking 🌅✨. From up there, I could see the city stretching to the water, hills rolling into the distance, and rooftops glinting in the soft autumn light.

The hill is dotted with historic monuments. The National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, was meant to honor Scottish soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars 🏛️. Nearby, the Nelson Monument, built to commemorate Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, looks like a giant telescope pointing skyward 🔭. I wandered among the monuments, imagining the history they’ve silently witnessed over centuries.

From Calton Hill, I could also take in Scott Monument, the towering Gothic tribute to Sir Walter Scott 🏰📚. Its intricate stonework and spires are breathtaking from afar, and the sheer scale makes it feel like the city itself is paying homage to one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures. Standing there, high above Edinburgh, the combination of history, architecture, and natural beauty felt truly spellbinding ✨.

🍫 Decadence in the Evening: CORO Chocolate Café

By the time I made it back toward my lodging, it was the perfect hour for a treat. I had saved CORO Chocolate Café via TikTok months ago, and it did not disappoint 😍. Located just around the corner from where I was staying, I decided to build my own crepe—creepy in name only, IYKYK 👀. Mine had salted caramel sauce, banana, pecans, and dark chocolate shavings 🍌🍫🌰. Each bite was pure decadence, perfectly ending a day that had already been filled with history, literature, fall colors, and just enough rain to make the cobblestones gleam.

As I savored the last bite, I couldn’t help but reflect on the day: a full Edinburgh experience, blending history, architecture, literature, and pure culinary joy. Walking back to my room, I felt happy, inspired, and ready for whatever adventure awaited me next in this captivating city ✨.